Two Anglesey businesses, The Computer Geeks and Island Tech, are urging residents and small businesses across Gwynedd and Anglesey to stay vigilant this winter as scammers ramp up activity during the festive period.
Both companies report a sharp rise in customers seeking help this time of the year, having fallen victim to online fraud, hacked devices, cloned phones, and suspicious emails or text messages. The local trend reflects a growing UK-wide issue, with data from the City of London Police showing that £11.8 million was lost to online shopping scams during last year’s festive season, between 1 November 2024 to 31 January 2025.
Located side by side on Holyhead’s Stanley Street, the two businesses are run by long-standing friends, Ethan Hughes and Marty Wilding. The Computer Geeks provides IT support and repairs for consumer and SMEs across the region, while Island Tech specialises in phone and electronics repairs as well as helping customers whose devices have been hacked or cloned.
Ethan, founder of The Computer Geeks, said:
“People shouldn’t feel embarrassed about being scammed – it can happen to anyone. What matters is acting quickly. The sooner we see the device or system, the faster we can secure it and prevent further damage or loss.”
Marty, owner of Island Tech, added:
“Hacked phones and cloned devices are becoming increasingly common, especially around this time of year. If something doesn’t feel right, bring the device in. In response to this, we now offer security plans to help combat scams and viruses on all devices.”
Marty added:
“Every winter we see a sharp rise in email, text and phone scams. Criminals know people are busy, distracted and spending more than usual, so they take advantage. If an offer seems too good to be true, it probably is.”
The National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) is also urging the public to stay alert and recently launched its Stop! Think Fraud campaign, offering practical guidance on staying safe online.
Ethan added:
“We welcome the national campaign to raise awareness of cyber security. Our advice is simple, keep all devices updated, use strong and unique passwords, and enable two-factor authentication when you can.
“Never use public Wi-Fi for shopping or banking, don’t click on unsolicited links, and always check a retailer’s website carefully before making a purchase – use a trusted antivirus, read reviews and be cautious of unrealistically cheap deals.”
The Computer Geeks and Island Tech are among the six businesses on Stanley Street currently having their shopfronts restored to their original authentic appearance.
The work is part of the £3.25 million Holyhead Townscape Heritage Initiative, funded by UK Government and the National Lottery Heritage Fund through the Isle of Anglesey County Council. The initiative is designed to improve the town centre, attract more visitors, and encourage further investment in the area.
During the refurbishment, The Computer Geeks and Island Tech will temporarily relocate to the nearby Môn CF office on Market Street in the town centre.
